BSU Student Housing is dead. I can't believe The State of Idaho goes out and asks ACC to do this project only to cancel it after everything was ready to go. This was completely shovel ready. Idaho has wasted a lot of peoples time and money. I wonder if the developer will sue for the wasted time and effort.

Boise State University is proposing a 360-bed student housing complex along Lincoln Avenue that could open by fall 2012.
The project is the latest iteration of a plan to expand campus housing. Boise State backed away from a proposal for a nearly 900-bed complex that would have been built and operated by American Campus Communities, one of the nation's largest developers of student housing.

Boise State decided not to go with the American Campus Communities proposal after a company that rates the school's bond said the project could go against the school's debt capacity even if Boise State University didn't put money into it.

The original project was estimated at $41 million and would have required Boise State University to lease land to American Campus Communities for up to 85 years.

The new project, built in the same region of the campus, is smaller and initial estimates are it will cost between $19 million and $25 million. The construction costs would also go against the school's debt capacity, but Boise State would receive the revenue from the units to offset the debt, said Stacy Pearson, Boise State's vice president for finance and administration.

The project will need State Board of Education approval and is expected to be bid through the state's Department of Public Works.

The housing will be 90 units of townhomes with a kitchen, living room and bedrooms, said Pearson.

Boise State University is proposing a 360-bed student housing complex along Lincoln Avenue that could open by fall 2012.
The project is the latest iteration of a plan to expand campus housing. Boise State backed away from a proposal for a nearly 900-bed complex that would have been built and operated by American Campus Communities, one of the nation's largest developers of student housing.

Boise State decided not to go with the American Campus Communities proposal after a company that rates the school's bond said the project could go against the school's debt capacity even if Boise State University didn't put money into it.

The original project was estimated at $41 million and would have required Boise State University to lease land to American Campus Communities for up to 85 years.

The new project, built in the same region of the campus, is smaller and initial estimates are it will cost between $19 million and $25 million. The construction costs would also go against the school's debt capacity, but Boise State would receive the revenue from the units to offset the debt, said Stacy Pearson, Boise State's vice president for finance and administration.

The project will need State Board of Education approval and is expected to be bid through the state's Department of Public Works.

The housing will be 90 units of townhomes with a kitchen, living room and bedrooms, said Pearson.

It just doesn't make sense. They didn't have to pay anything for the project just provide the land lease free for a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 85. If occupancy rates were high they could have got the entire project free and clear in 20 years. So now the state is going to pay 19-25 mil for less than half the beds of the original that they didn't have to pay anything for. This was very short-sighted. The Students living there would be buying groceries, gas, patrons of bars, nightclubs, restaurant etc. generating a lot of extra tax revenue. Not to mention 900 additional people added to the population of Boise as well. The Author of this article makes you believe that it was a bad thing when it was far from it. WTF Idaho

You are not the only one frustrated by the outcome. So, I wonder if the plan was for a much larger complex of dorms which is now going to be a smaller complex, if there will be open space on those lots left after this new construction to add more in the future? I know people at BSU who said the the University is frustrated but their hands are tied because of the State Board of Ed. The campus at BSU is expanding and growing quickly and new buildings seem to always be going up, so they are going to need more student housing regardless.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boisebro

heavy machinery and fencing are now at the university inn site. hopefully this means demolition will begin soon to make way for the business building.

I have seen the equipment too so hopefully that old motel is destoyed soon.

It just doesn't make sense. They didn't have to pay anything for the project just provide the land lease free for a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 85. If occupancy rates were high they could have got the entire project free and clear in 20 years. So now the state is going to pay 19-25 mil for less than half the beds of the original that they didn't have to pay anything for. This was very short-sighted. The Students living there would be buying groceries, gas, patrons of bars, nightclubs, restaurant etc. generating a lot of extra tax revenue. Not to mention 900 additional people added to the population of Boise as well. The Author of this article makes you believe that it was a bad thing when it was far from it. WTF Idaho

seems really retarded doesn't it? some of the stupid pumpkin heads in the state government here need to be flushed down a toilet. Fact is, boise state is now the largest university in the state, it will continue to grow. If the state board doesn't like that because u of I is their little baby, they need to get axed for conflict of interest. U of I is a good school don't get me wrong, but it's in the middle of nowhere, and their student population will continue to go nowhere because of that. I would rather go OUT of state than be stuck in moscow while going to school.

__________________
🌲Keep Idaho Green🌲When things are all you think of and plans are all you make, and thoughts are all you dream of, and falls are all you take, Look out, the world's destroyin' ya.
Relax; it isn't fair. Mother Nature's disposition, She don't mind, She don't care.
Built To Spill

seems really retarded doesn't it? some of the stupid pumpkin heads in the state government here need to be flushed down a toilet. Fact is, boise state is now the largest university in the state, it will continue to grow. If the state board doesn't like that because u of I is their little baby, they need to get axed for conflict of interest. U of I is a good school don't get me wrong, but it's in the middle of nowhere, and their student population will continue to go nowhere because of that. I would rather go OUT of state than be stuck in moscow while going to school.

Moscow is an awesome small town that has that classic ivy league look to it, outstanding historic architecture, the evergreen mountains, and the historic U of I campus adds to the whole look of the town. It may seem isolated but Pullman, Washington is around 10 miles away with WSU and its 19,000 student count. Plus, Moscow is in a beautiful area and places like Coeur d'Alene are a short drive away as well as the Clearwater Mountains.

I agree that Moscow is not Boise, it's a small town, but its somewhat hippy, earthy, Eugene mix with New England village vibe and really close proximity to WSU and Pullman offer the kind of University experience that you would not find in other local university towns like Rexburg, Pocatello, Logan or Provo. If I had my choice I would choose Moscow and U of I over the cities in my previous sentence in a heartbeat. Another plus for Moscow is that Mary Jane's Farm is just outside of town.

But I do agree that the state board of education was wrong in their decision about the original dorm proposal for BSU.

__________________
🌲Keep Idaho Green🌲When things are all you think of and plans are all you make, and thoughts are all you dream of, and falls are all you take, Look out, the world's destroyin' ya.
Relax; it isn't fair. Mother Nature's disposition, She don't mind, She don't care.
Built To Spill

Moscow is an awesome small town that has that classic ivy league look to it, outstanding historic architecture, the evergreen mountains, and the historic U of I campus adds to the whole look of the town. It may seem isolated but Pullman, Washington is around 10 miles away with WSU and its 19,000 student count. Plus, Moscow is in a beautiful area and places like Coeur d'Alene are a short drive away as well as the Clearwater Mountains.

I agree that Moscow is not Boise, it's a small town, but its somewhat hippy, earthy, Eugene mix with New England village vibe and really close proximity to WSU and Pullman offer the kind of University experience that you would not find in other local university towns like Rexburg, Pocatello, Logan or Provo. If I had my choice I would choose Moscow and U of I over the cities in my previous sentence in a heartbeat. Another plus for Moscow is that Mary Jane's Farm is just outside of town.

But I do agree that the state board of education was wrong in their decision about the original dorm proposal for BSU.

don't get me wrong, the area up there is pretty and I agree with what you've said, but for a student there's not much to do but get tanked on the weekends, there's limited job opportunities there for students while going to school. Limited Internships while going to school because of location. Essentially everyone that graduates MUST move away to look for work in their respective fields. This makes for a transient, "I'm only here for 4 years" community. I'm very familiar with Moscow. My dad is an alumni. Still doesn't change my opinion of the place. It has limited resources that being in a metropolitan area provides. When my dad went to school U of I was really the only option there was in idaho. It's alumni is very "good ole boyish" atleast for those that have remained in Idaho. With growth in the treasure valley It's only natural that Boise State would become the dominant school in state not by just student numbers, but moreso now academically..It's already happening, and I think it will only continue. I agree they should Let BSU build the f*ckin dorms so the kids FROM north idaho or eastern idaho have options for housing because they're coming here already. I don't understand some of the shortsightedness that happens in this state. It's like they're afraid to spend a penny to make a dime. In this case they don't have to spend anything. It's frustrating.

don't get me wrong, the area up there is pretty and I agree with what you've said, but for a student there's not much to do but get tanked on the weekends, there's limited job opportunities there for students while going to school. Limited Internships while going to school because of location. Essentially everyone that graduates MUST move away to look for work in their respective fields. This makes for a transient, "I'm only here for 4 years" community. I'm very familiar with Moscow. My dad is an alumni. Still doesn't change my opinion of the place. It has limited resources that being in a metropolitan area provides. When my dad went to school U of I was really the only option there was in idaho. It's alumni is very "good ole boyish" atleast for those that have remained in Idaho. With growth in the treasure valley It's only natural that Boise State would become the dominant school in state not by just student numbers, but moreso now academically..It's already happening, and I think it will only continue. I agree they should Let BSU build the f*ckin dorms so the kids FROM north idaho or eastern idaho have options for housing because they're coming here already. I don't understand some of the shortsightedness that happens in this state. It's like they're afraid to spend a penny to make a dime. In this case they don't have to spend anything. It's frustrating.

That's a great point. Students many times fail to realize the danger of going to a school in a smaller area that will severely limit their internship / experience options. Employers like degrees, but they like experience with degrees much more. It makes a lot more sense to go to a U in, or around a major metro.

A project that will link Boise State University to the city of Boise’s geothermal system is moving full steam ahead, with university officials expecting nearly 1 million square feet of campus space to be heated with the naturally heated underground water over the next few years.

Crapo, along with Rep. Mike Simpson and Sen. Jim Risch, helped secure $2 million for the expansion as part of a 2009 congressional spending bill and another $1 million in an earmark this year. The city and university will pay for the rest.

“In any energy policy that we pursue in this nation, geothermal power must necessarily be a key component,” Crapo said. “Here in Boise we are leading the way in showing the rest of the country in how we can utilize it and utilize it effectively.”

Bieter said the city’s system is among the best in the world and a mark of pride for the city.

ESI of Boise is the apparent low bidder to build Boise State University’s $28 million College of Business and Economics building.

In addition to COBE, ESI is completing BSU’s Center for Environmental Science and Economic Development building and a campus parking garage.

The planned four-story, 118,890-square-foot building near the corner of University Avenue and Capitol Boulevard will replace an existing motel. Construction will begin in November and finish in the summer of 2012.

It will house classrooms, a 250-seat lecture hall, research space, and Idaho’s Small Business Development Center and Center for Entrepreneurship. Hummel Architects of Boise and Denver-based AMD are the project’s architects.

A $17.5 million donation from The Micron Foundation and matching fundraising efforts from private donors will help pay for COBE’s construction. Additional funds will come from state-approved education bonds, BSU communications specialist Sherry Squires said.

The new building will hold more than 3,300 students. Undergraduate program enrollment is expected to grow 26 percent in the next 10 years, with the number of graduate students expected to double.

Seems like everyones favorite holier than thou forumer of the Mountain West is, in a thin veil, bashing us in a thread that reps a town south of the border...Idaho's border. What the big D, who is blowing smoke, doesn't realize is that in Boise we don't report on a crack in the sidewalk being fixed, or a big box store being built in the suburbs. Gotta give it to him/her, that there isn't anyone else on this entire forum that gets as excited over a big box as he/she does If we reported on all of the current construction activity at BSU and the suburbs, it might temper the big D's inflated ego and in addition our downtown already has the vibe and vibrancy that his little spot on the map is trying to create with their new mega mall. (sigh) And I've been to Europe so I know what I am talking about Maybe he needs to have a "Trick" with the pony he referenced in his/her post?
Back to BSU...what is going on in front of the SUB?

Seems like everyones favorite holier than thou forumer of the Mountain West is, in a thin veil, bashing us in a thread that reps a town south of the border...Idaho's border. What the big D, who is blowing smoke, doesn't realize is that in Boise we don't report on a crack in the sidewalk being fixed, or a big box store being built in the suburbs. Gotta give it to him/her, that there isn't anyone else on this entire forum that gets as excited over a big box as he/she does If we reported on all of the current construction activity at BSU and the suburbs, it might temper the big D's inflated ego and in addition our downtown already has the vibe and vibrancy that his little spot on the map is trying to create with their new mega mall. (sigh) And I've been to Europe so I know what I am talking about Maybe he needs to have a "Trick" with the pony he referenced in his/her post?
Back to BSU...what is going on in front of the SUB?

On University? A new parking garage next to the existing one. It will have offices on the ground level much like the Lincoln garage. Also, on the other side near the church, they are building a transit center.

Yeah, on University. I have not been that way for a while and noticed the construction this past weekend.
Do you know the update for the new student village the University is building? The one that was going to be much larger, and then the University decided to go with a smaller plan?